Camping in the Florida Keys ranges from private campgrounds, to right on the water state parks, and even remote, out in the middle of the ocean national park. How to decide which one is for you? Sit back and let us help you choose with this informative guide.

If you’re a RV/Trailer camper, there are more spaces available to camp at than if you camp in a tent.

State Park Campgrounds in the Florida Keys

There are four state parks that offer camping in the Florida Keys. If state parks are your thing, then be sure to plan well ahead as they fill up quickly. Reservations are made through the state park website; you can access that here. Florida State Parks allow you to make reservations 10 months in advance, 11 if you’re a Florida resident. I would plan on looking for availability at least 6 months before your trip. If you’re flexible, you can check for cancellations daily.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp is in Key Largo and has 46 RV/tent spaces that have water and electrical hookups. The campgrounds are set in a wooded area and allow 2 tents or 1 RV per site.

The park has two beaches that you can snorkel off of, there’s even a 17th century cannon underwater that you can snorkel to. There are some short hiking trails through the hardwood hammock where you can learn about the trees that make up the Florida Keys. If you want to explore the water, there are mangrove trails to kayak, often sighted are sharks, stingrays, and other marine life. If a kayak doesn’t fit with all your other gear, don’t worry, they rent kayaks, so you don’t have to bring your own.

Since most of the park is actually underwater, they also have boat rentals, snorkel tours, scuba tours, and glass bottom boat tours. If you’re arriving by boat, there is a marina with wet slips and mooring balls available for rent.

Rates are $36 per night for RV or tent.

Find out more about John Pennekamp right here!

Long Key State Park

What was once a luxury fishing resort for the rich and famous, is now a state park for hikers, birders, and campers. Fishing is still popular here; you just don’t have to be on the who’s-who list. Long Key State Park is located in between Islamorada and Marathon.

Due to the one-two punch of hurricanes Irma and Ian, there are only three walk-in primitive campsites in Long Key State Park. What they lack in amenities, they make up for in location. Tent sites include a picnic table, grill, and firepit, but the real perk of this campground is waking up right on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Cold showers and restrooms are onsite for campers.

Kayaks are available for rent at the ranger station and it’s a great paddle along the shoreline through shallow waters. While you’re out there, keep an eye out for marine life and other wildlife in the mangroves. You can hike the Golden Orb Nature Trail on the Atlantic side, or the Layton Trail on the Florida Bay side. Bring your snorkel gear and check out some fantastic underwater views.

Nightly rates start at $22.50.

While you’re in Marathon, be sure to check out the Turtle Hospital and all the good that they do. More info here!

Curry Hammock State Park

Curry Hammock State Park is halfway between Key Largo and Key West and is the largest undeveloped area between Key Largo and Big Pine Key. There are 28 gravel pad campsites that accommodate both RVs and tents, some sites even have a view of the ocean. All sites have electricity, water, the usual picnic table, and grill. Bonus! They also have posts for hammocks. There is a common area firepit on the beach, but open flames are not allowed in the campsites.

Popular with kayakers and wind surfers. Curry Hammock also has a nature trail, snorkeling areas, and is a great place to fish, provided you have the correct license. Marine wildlife viewing from the shore includes sharks, dolphins, stingrays, and manatees. Kayaks, SUPs, and bikes are available to rent at the ranger station.

Curry Hammock is also on the Overseas Heritage Trail, a 90-mile multi use trail that runs from Key Largo to Key West. After you enjoy a fantastic sunset, make sure to stay up and stargaze. The lack of light pollution makes the stars stand out at night for spectacular viewing.

Starting rates are $36 for tents or RVs.

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda State Park is just on the south side of the Seven Mile Bridge. There are 80 campsites spread out across three campgrounds. All have water, and all but 8 allow RVs and have electricity. Be forewarned, Bahia Honda is a very popular camping destination, so make your reservations well in advance (like 11 months in advance) if your plans are not flexible.

The Bayside campground is for tents only and due to low clearance bridges max vehicle height is 6’8″, so get your tape measure out if you’re unsure of your vehicle height. Campsites are beside a flooded quarry that was dug out for underlayment for the Overseas Railroad and offer views of Florida Bay. On the other side of the quarry there are 3 duplex cabins that are available for rental.

The Buttonwood campground is on the Florida Bay side and has 48 sites that will accommodate most set ups. The campsites are roomy with plenty of space for toys and canopies. Electric and water as well as hot showers are on site. Some campsites are right on the water.

On the Atlantic Ocean side of the park is the Sandspur campground. There is a size limit of 23′ from the hitch to the bumper due to a tight turnaround. All sites are gravel with electricity, water, and grills. All but five of the sites are right on the beach.

Bahia Honda also has wet slips for overnight boat camping at $2/foot with a $30 minimum. The slips are in a protected basin, just watch out for the manatee that likes to hang out in there.

There are three beaches in the park with plenty of shoreline. Snorkeling is fantastic due to the shallow waters. The Florida Bay side is calmer, but there is more marine life on the Atlantic side. Kayak and snorkel rentals are available at the concession stand, as well as Looie Key snorkel tours.

There’s not much hiking in the park, but you can walk up the old Overseas railroad for fantastic views of the Overseas Highway, the Florida Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Stargazing is a thing here because of the dark night skies, but if you’re one who needs quiet to sleep, you might want to look elsewhere. The campgrounds are close enough to the highway that you will hear traffic at night.

Tents and RV rates start at $36, if you’re more of a cabin person, those start at $160.

To find more about Bahia Honda, click right here.

National Park Campgrounds in the Florida Keys

There are three National Park campgrounds in the Florida Keys and the only way to get to all three of them are by boat. Two are in the northern Keys, and one is 70 miles west of Key West. Surprisingly, you don’t need advance reservations for any of these campsites.

Boca Chita Key

Directly east of Black Point Marina, Boca Chita Key boasts a picturesque light house with a 65-foot observation deck. There is a 1/2-mile hiking trail around the small island and the campsites all offer wonderful waterfront views.

Campsites are scattered among palm trees so don’t expect much shade. There are restrooms but no showers, sinks, or drinking water. The campground rate is $35/night, and there is a $25 docking fee for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays. To pay, download the Recreation.gov mobile app. Pets aren’t allowed and don’t forget your insect repellant, you’re going to need it!

Elliott Key Campgrounds in the Florida Keys

The largest island in Biscayne National Park was once used for pineapple farming, now it’s a 33-slip marina with a mile long hiking trail and campgrounds.

The campground is on the Biscayne Bay side of the island in a wooded area. Campsites all have grills and picnic tables. There are restrooms with cold water showers. Drinking water is onsite, but the National Park Service recommends that you bring your own in case there is a disruption.

Fishing is excellent, just make sure that you have the proper license. Dogs are allowed and if you forgot your insect repellent, just go ahead and turn around, the mosquitos and no-seeums will eat you alive.

The rates and payment are the same as at Boca Chita Campground.

Dry Tortugas National Park Campground

The Dry Tortugas Campground is one of the best campgrounds in the Florida Keys, it’s also one of the hardest to get to. Located 73 miles west of Key West in the middle of the Florida Straits, Dry Tortugas was once a fort and then a prison. Now it’s a National Park and the only way to get there if you’re camping is by boat.

There are 10 campsites that are first-come, first-serve. But not getting a space isn’t an issue, there is an overflow area if needed, and you are guaranteed a space. There is no running water, compost only toilets, and no concessions on the island (sort of).

There are private charters that run to the island, or you can take your own boat there. But most people reserve a spot on the Yankee Freedom ferry. Spots are hard to get, if there’s availability, you’re able to reserve 1,2 or 3 nights up to six months in advance. Reservations are made through the Yankee Freedom website here.

Each camper is allowed 60 pounds of gear, and they will weigh it, but you can bring all the water that you want, and it’s not counted against your gear weight. It’s a 2 1/2-hour ferry ride to the park, usually it’s smooth sailing, but it can get rough, usually during the winter months.

Campsites are all sand and limited to three tents/six people. No open flames, there are charcoal grills at each site, and you can only use matchless charcoal.

Once you’re there, you can explore the mid 1800s fort, snorkel among tarpon, stingrays, and sea turtles, or just lay on the beach. One of the best things about camping at Dry Tortugas is that after 5:30 all the other tourists go home, and you pretty much have the island to yourself.

There are three kayak spots available on the ferry that you can reserve when you make your camping reservations. If you are lucky enough to get a kayak to the island, you can fish or kayak around the islands. If the weather is cooperative, you can paddle to Loggerhead Key and explore the largest of the seven Keys that make up the National Park.

Cost for the Yankee Freedom Ferry is $240 per person, $260 with a kayak. Overnight camping fee at Dry Tortugas is $15 cash only.

Got your interest piqued? Check out our definitive guide for camping at Dry Tortugas National Park right here!

Private Campgrounds in the Florida Keys

Most of the private campgrounds in the Florida Keys are set up for RVs. So, if you’re a tent camper, you’ll still have availability, but it won’t be as much as an RVer. If you plan on camping on the “rustic” (tent only) sites, you’ll need to leave Rusty at home as most campgrounds don’t allow pets on the tent only campsites. Private campgrounds can get expensive, so be prepared for that when you book.

Key Largo Kampground and Marina

Located just down the street from John Pennekamp State Park (you can actually kayak to the park from here). They have over 200 campsites for RVs and tents with a good amount right on the water along with additional boat slip rentals.

There are nicely shaded tent only campsites available, but most of the waterfront sites are RV/tent combos. Key Largo Kampgrounds offers a nice selection of amenities such as a pool, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts. There is a small store along with a laundry on site.

If you want more than a tent, and less than a RV, they also have a glamping tent set up just for you. Air-conditioned tent camping awaits you; other upgrades also include a refrigerator, gas grill, and two twin cots.

Tent sites start at $75 while full hookup RV sites start at $120, they also have discounted weekly rates if you’re going to be visiting that long.

Big Pine RV Park

Don’t let the name fool you, yes, it is in Big Pine Key, but no, it’s not only an RV resort. Big Pine RV Resort is a couple miles south of Bahia Honda State Park, right on the edge of the Key Deer Refuge. It’s a big property on 10 acres that borders both the Atlantic and the Gulf of America.

Amenities include, camp store, fish cleaning station, shuffleboard, and there’s a 25,000-gallon pool. The waterfront location is perfect for launching your kayak, or SUP.

There are 97 full hook-up RV sites, with some on the ocean, and canal, with others on the interior. There are sites with boat slips available if you’ve brought your boat with you. If your rig is over 36′, you’ll need to contact the site to make sure that they have availability.

Of the 27 rustic campsites, 13 of them are on the Ocean. There is no electric at the sites and there are spigots available throughout the campground for water. You do get your very own picnic table, so there’s that. Dogs and generators are not allowed on the rustic campsites due to the Key deer that are around the area.

If you forgot your RV at home, that’s no problem. Big Pine has cabin rentals and RVs set up with everything that you need available for rent.

Rates start at $51 for tent camping, $97 for RVs, and $206 for cabin rental. As always, the price varies depending on where it’s at in the park. They also offer special discounts for first time visitors and veterans.

Boyd’s Key West Campground

Boyd’s Campground is on Stock Island, on the always fun to say Boca Chica Channel. Boyd’s has been family run since 1963. At 5 miles away from Duval Street, it’s a convenient place to stay and hit up all the fun that Key West has to offer.

If you’re more of a stay at the campground type of person, you will love Boyd’s. There’s a pool for relaxing. A tiki hut for socializing and gathering. You can hop across the street to their restaurant or grab what you need at the camp store.

For the water lover, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards. If you’ve brought your boat, they have a marina with a boat launch. A fish cleaning station is available for the fisherman.

Dogs are allowed on the property, no wolf-hybrids though. They don’t allow certain breeds, so check with them to make sure that your dog is welcome.

You can pitch your tent right on the waterfront. They have both water and electric sites, along with primitive sites. All campsites include a picnic table and charcoal grill. Only 1 tent and 1 vehicle are allowed per site.

Bring your up to 45′ RV and park in one of their full hook-up sites. You choose whether to camp on the waterfront, dockside or interior. They have 30/50-amp service along with cable tv, some sites even have a patio.

Rates are all dependent on whether you’re on the water or interior, what season it is, or if you’re staying monthly. For more rate information, click here.

• Florida Keys
• Islamorada
• Key Largo
• Key West
• Marathon
• Uncategorized